This Model 1860 U.S. Light Cavalry Saber rates near excellent for condition and was made in 1862, making it a candidate for use in many major campaigns, engagements and cavalry actions. It also comes from the War Library and Museum of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion and has two period initials, “J.S.,” lightly scratched in the guard. The hilt has a nice, even, medium tone to the brass. A few age spots and a minor ding or two show on the pommel cap. The black leather grip wrap and wire binding are minty. The scabbard is complete, with no dings or dents, “in the bright” but age-toned to a muted silver with scattered light and dark gray spots. The throat, rings and drag are all in place. The drag shows a clear “A.D.K.” government inspection stamp.

The blade pad is in place under the guard. The blade has a good point and edge with no nicks. The blade is smooth metal, a dull silver in color with some gray spots, showing also some faint signs of the original cross-polishing above the ricasso. The reverse ricasso is stamped “ D. J. Millard / Clayville N.Y.” The “D” is light, as are the first three letters of Clayville, but there is no mistaking the stamp. The obverse ricasso is stamped “US / CEW / 1862,” indicating its inspection and acceptance.

David J. Millard was a very prosperous maker of edge tools and farm implements, running the Paris Furnace Company in Clayville, near Utica, New York. He brought in a German cutler to help him gear up for sword manufacture at the beginning of the war and obtained a contract for 10,000 light cavalry sabers on 21 December 1861. Production delays forced him to obtain an extension and to purchase 500 sabers and something over 1,000 scabbards initially to meet the terms of his contract, but he successfully completed deliveries in 1862. He did not seek further contracts, but a local business did advertise Tiffany swords using Millard blades in 1863.

Millard sabers are well made and their early date and relatively small number, make them desirable. This comes from the recently dispersed collections of the War Library and Museum in Philadelphia. Incorporated in 1888 by the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, the veterans’ organization for Union officers, the museum was the repository for a world class collection of artifacts. The guard of this saber has the initials “J.S.” lightly scratched on the inside of the counterguard at the quillon, and again on the underside of the guard. These certainly look period and are likely a cavalryman’s attempt to keep track of his saber. Given the provenance of the sword, it likely came from a former cavalry officer. It might be possible to narrow it down through MOLLUS records, but the initials might also return too many candidates. From 1922 the museum was housed in a Philadelphia townhouse, but was forced to close in 2008. Many of their holdings made their way to other museums, but others were recently sold at auction where we obtained a number of pieces with this great pedigree. A museum inventory number in black ink on a white base is on the scabbard throat and reverse ricasso of the blade. This could be removed, but documents the provenance.  [sr] [ph:L]

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